The USDA has been monitoring the arrival of a potentially destructive, non-native insect within our state. The Spotted Lanternfly (SLF), a species native to Asia, poses a possible threat to the Connecticut forests and agricultural industry. Ripley Waterfowl Conservancy is implementing a program to monitor the presence of SLF in our area, and we are currently looking for volunteers to help with this project.

A member of the Fulgoridae family, the Spotted Lanternfly travels by walking, hopping, or flying short distances. Long distance travel, however, is made possible by their ability to lay eggs on most surfaces, including vehicles, trailers, patio furniture and other transportable objects. Although the preferred host plant for SLF is the Tree-of-Heaven, they may also feed on grapes, hops, maple, apple, walnut and willow. SLF has already been detected in Fairfield and New Haven Counties and is expected to move north and eastward throughout the state.

Click here for more information on the Spotted Lanternfly.

RWC’s monitoring program will consist of volunteers establishing visual monitoring sites in their area. Due to its close relationship with the SLF life-cycle, volunteers are encouraged to identify locations with Tree-of-Heaven, and traps will be provided for these high-risk areas. Sites will need to be monitored bi-weekly from April through October.

If you are interested in taking part in RWC’s monitoring program, and live in Litchfield, Hartford, Middlesex, New Haven, or Fairfield Counties, please email Andrew at aocampo@ripleyconservancy.org by Sunday, March 20. Upon registration, an information packet will be sent to you with more Spotted Lanternfly facts and an invitation to our virtual Ripley SLF Monitoring Seminar on Wednesday, March 23 at 6:00PM, and our live SLF Workshop on Sunday, March 27, at 11:00AM.